Listener 4286 No Robbery! By Radix

[emcee]

Searching this site hasn't found any other threads for this puzzle, so here goes!

I thought this was the toughest puzzle for some time. It took me several hours last night before the penny finally dropped as to what was going on with all three types of clue.

As with all of Radix's puzzles, the clues were tough (but fair) and the construction was exceptional - how on earth would you ensure such a neat final grid with all the constraints imposed therein?

A puzzle which is a fitting tribute to a very able gentleman. Many thanks, Radix.

[IainGrace]

Are we correct in assuming that the "likewise" in the rubric doesn't mean "in the clue"?

[upsetter]

To IainGrace - we certainly hope so and hats off to Emcee, no lo creo!.

[pushmi-pullyu]

I've filled in about a third of the grid, still with absolutely no idea where this is going or how it is getting there.

[fallster]

Pretty stuck on this so far. Agree that this is hardest in a long time.

[contendo]

Hm. I haven't found a single answer that fits into the first category yet, and some of the answers I have got don't seem to fit into any of the categories. Maybe I'm misinterpreting the instructions. It's certainly a snorter.

[jim360]

On the face of it the clues don't seem to match the instructions at all... I must be missing something major as it's not at all clear what is going on. The 12 single letters appear to be spelling out something reasonably coherent, but while I can see where they come from I can't for the life of me figure out where they are going... ditto the various extra words.

Wondering if my chain of correct puzzles (barring stupid typos) is coming to an abrupt halt.

[pushmi-pullyu]

I'm pretty sure I know what the letters are going to spell out, but I can't say that that's helping much.

[TheBear69]

I completely agree with emcee, including the hours of struggle before I reached the end. This beautiful puzzle exemplifies Radix's genius.

[tilbee]

Indeed took some time to understand what was going on this afternoon, but now all fitted together very nicely. Guessed early on what the letters spelled out and calling on experience of previous Radix puzzles, had some idea of what to look out for. Agree that this is a very worthy final puzzle from Radix, so many thanks for this and previous puzzles.

[jim360]

One wonders if with an effort like this Radix might secure a posthumous Gold Cup?

[crosswhit99]

Indeed Jim, and it may not even be his final published puzzle tilbee ?

[Cagey]

Wow, I am getting nowhere with this.
Perhaps sleep will help.
Well done all those who have completed.

[AHearer]

That penny took a long time to succumb to gravity, but now that it has, wow, what a beauty! A great puzzle from one who gave us so much pleasure over the years.

[olichant]

After quite a promising start, I really am struggling. Hoping that a long train journey this afternoon will help the penny to drop.

How nice of Radix's family to institute a new prize - a lovely tribute.

[IainGrace]

Isn't it amazing how one can stare at a Listener for ages, then after a while - you still haven't a clue what is going on?

[upsetter]

If anyone would like to co-operate please contact [email protected] - not that we have much to offer

[fortyseven]

A really difficult but totally fair puzzle which has left me mentally exhausted but satisfied with my weekend's work! I needed to write down provisional answers to at least half the clues before discovering the theme. Even after that, solving the other clues and filling the grid required a lot of concentration and accuracy. But it all worked out in the end. My thanks to Radix for this and for many other enjoyable and original puzzles over the years.

[moffat]

The mortality rate among setters is more than a little unnerving. Let us hope that it will soon slow down.

[aldanna]

Glad you all find this so hard as it has totally defeated me.

[IainGrace]

Upsetter, we have solved about a third of the clues and have ideas for a number of others but can't parse them to our satisfaction. Also, there is an obvious, but possibly misleading, hint in the title as to what the alternative title is and its relevance to completion of the grid. We may be in touch.....